SAINT MARY MAGDALENE BACKGROUND
Mary Magdalene was a historical figure; she was born circa AD 8, possibly in Magdala, Roman Judea. She was a prominent follower of Jesus who was believed to have been healed by him, supported his ministry financially, and was present at his crucifixion and burial. She played a key role among his female disciples. Overall, there is limited information about her life.
Apocryphal early Christian writings often portray Mary Magdalene as a prominent, spiritually insightful figure favored by Jesus, challenging traditional patriarchal norms. These texts have inspired modern reinterpretations of her role. During the Patristic era, Mary Magdalene was mentioned only briefly by early Church Fathers, with her image evolving from a minor gospel figure to being conflated with other women in the Bible. Eventually, she became viewed in Western Christianity, largely due to Pope Gregory I’s influential 591 sermon, as a repentant prostitute, despite there being no biblical basis for this portrayal.
The Eastern Orthodox Church has always viewed Mary Magdalene as a virtuous Myrrhbearer and “Equal to the Apostles”, distinct from other biblical women. The Roman Catholic Church historically conflated her with the repentant sinner in Luke 7 but later emphasized her role as the first witness to the resurrection and honored her as the “Apostle to the Apostles”. Many alleged relics of Mary Magdalene, including her skull, a piece of forehead flesh, a tibia, and her left hand, are preserved in Catholic sites in France and Mount Athos, with notable displays and annual processions honoring them. Her feast day is July 22nd.
SAINT MARY MAGDALENE – BIBLIOGRAPHY
Butcher, John Beverley. Sacred Partnership: Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Hannacroix, NY: Apocryphile Press. 2011
Davidson, Fr. Sean. Saint Mary Magdalene Prophetess of Eucharistic Love. San Francisco, CA: 2017.
Ehrman, Bart D. Peter, Paul, & Mary Magdalene: The Followers of Jesus in History and Legend. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 2006.
Emmerich, Anne Catherine. Mary Magdalene: In the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich. Rockford, IL: Tan Books 2005
Filliette, Edith. Saint Mary Magdalene: Her Life and Times. Newton Lower Fall, MA: Society. 1983. of Mary Magdalene
Ho, Sr. Loan Hong. Mary Magdalene as a Model of the Lovers of the Holy Cross. Cromwell, CT: Holy Apostles College & Seminary. Master’s Thesis 2016.
COPY OF PAINTING DISPLAYED: The Conversion of Mary Magdalene, painted by Paolo Veronese, 1548.
COPY OF PICTURE DISPLAYED: Saint Mary Magdalene, painted by Antonio Veneziano circa 1369-1419
ARCHIVAL BOOK SELECTED
Author: Bellarmino, Saint Roberto Francesco Romolo (1542-1621)
Title: Explanatio in Psalmos
Language: Latin
Publisher: Georgium Iosse
Date Published: 1664